Puzzle case

ABSTRACT

A puzzle case that allows for a puzzle to be displayed including a top and bottom panel that when connected together define a cavity that can hold a puzzle. Typically, each panel comes in four sections that are adapted to be connected and then attached to each other to define a space or cavity to hold a jigsaw puzzle. Mounting points allow for the assembled case to be hung up.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a puzzle case with an integratedmounting function.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Jigsaw puzzles are a form of entertainment or mental challenge. Somejigsaw puzzles are highly complex and completing the jigsaw provides theuser a sense of achievement. Once the puzzle is completed it is eitherstored back in the container it came in or can be placed into a bespokejigsaw puzzle container. There are no jigsaw puzzle containers with theability to store the final product in a case that can be mounted anddisplayed or within which the puzzle can be built. Commonly this wouldbe undertaken by using a picture frame.

The object of this invention is to provide a puzzle case to address theabove shortcomings or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a puzzle case comprisinga top panel defined by several sections adapted to be removablyconnected together; a bottom panel defined by several sections adaptedto be removably connected together; the top panel adapted to engage thebottom panel and define a cavity thereinbetween allowing a jigsaw puzzleto be placed therein.

In preference the top panel is transparent.

In preference the bottom panel includes of structural reinforcementssuch as ribs.

In preference the top panel and the bottom panel are adapted to beremovably attached to each other using clips.

In preference each panel comprises of comprising four sections.

It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above mayinclude any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned aboveand may include any of the features of any of the embodiments describedbelow as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may bediscerned from the following Detailed Description which providessufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform theinvention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limitingthe scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. TheDetailed Description will refer to several drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates a completed puzzle case fully assembled including atop and bottom panels;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of puzzle case;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the puzzle case;

FIG. 4 is an underside view of the bottom panel; and

FIG. 5 is an upper and underside view of the panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings and the following description torefer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown inthe drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposesof clarity or illustration.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a puzzle case 10 comprises eight sub-sections.It is however not limited to having eight sub-sections.

The puzzle case 10 with optional mounting accessories comprises of toppanel sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 and at least one clip 700 extendingdownwardly at an edge of each panel section. A base panel 20 comprisesbase sections 12, 14, 16, and 18, and at least one clip hole or aperture702 located on the edge of each base section where the correspondingclip on the top panel can engage the corresponding clip hole. A mountingpoint 301 on the back panels that can be used for hanging the puzzlecontainer for display.

The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected into a single base panel20. The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected to each other byinterlocking male clips 800 that engage females clips 802 by pushingthem together as shown in FIG. 2.

The male 800 and female 802 clips are located on the inner edge of eachof the base sections 12, 14, 16, 18. The inner edge of the base panelsections has at least one male 800 and one female 802 clip that arecollocated to each other on the opposing panel. FIG. 4 displays onearrangement of the clips 800, 802 on the inner edge. It is to beunderstood that there may be many solutions to how the base sections areconnected and it is not intended to limit the present invention to thisparticular embodiment.

The outer edges of the base panel sections comprise female clip holes702 that are collocate to the top panel outer edge male clips 700.

The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 include an upper surface that is flatand smooth for the puzzle to rest on. The underside of the base sections12, 14, 16, 18 have a surface with a ribbed extrusion in a grid patternthat adds strength to the panel preventing it from flexing (FIGS. 2, 4).In the centre of each of the base panels a mounting point 301 islocated. The mounting point 301 is square in shape and located on therear of the base panel (FIG. 4), in the centre of the square is a Dshape hook. The D shape hook is surrounded by ribbed extrusions thathelp strengthen the plate as shown in FIG. 5. It is not intended tolimit the invention to having mounting points.

After the base plates 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected to form a single baseplate panel 20, the jigsaw puzzle can be placed on top of the base plate20. Of course, the jigsaw puzzle may be constructed within the baseplate 20.

The top panel 22 is assembled by interlocking each of the top panelsections 2, 4, 6, and 8 together. Each top panel 2, 4, 6, 8 comprises aninner lip 200. The inner lip 200 is the full length of one inner paneledge and is designed to accept an opposing panels lip 202 by eithergoing over or under the opposing lip 200, 202. Thus alternating sectionswill have alternate configuration of the opposing lips.

The top panels 2, 4, 6, 8 are connected by pushing together the innerlips 200,202. The inner lips 200, 202 hold the top panel sectionstogether to form one top panel 22. Other ways of connecting the sectionstogether would be able to be designed by the relevant person skilled inthe art.

Once the top plates are connected into one piece, the top panel 22 canengage the base panel 20. A very thin cavity exists between the top andbottom panels when connected which allows a puzzle to effectively beclamped between the two when finished. The space may only be a few mm indepth, depending on the thickness of the jigsaw puzzle pieces. The outeredges of the top panels 2, 4, 6, 8 comprise male locking clips 700 thatfix into the collocated bottom plates female clip holes 702 on the basepanel 20.

Once the top 22 and bottom 20 panels are connected and form thecompleted puzzle panel 10, the puzzle case 10 can be stored or hung upfor display using the mounting points 301.

The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 and top sections 2, 4, 6, 8 are made ofsuitable plastic material with the top sections being transparent toallow for the viewing of the jigsaw material.

On the back of the base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 there are variousmethods that can used to hang the panel on a structure for display.Firstly, there may be plug holes 301 located on the back of each of thebottom panels 12, 14, 16, 18. The mounting points 301 have a D shapedhook that extends downwardly, the D shape providing a fastener point tomount the panel onto a structure such as a wall or post. The hook canalso be used to attach a string, wire, or rope to allowing the panel tobe hung on a nail. Secondly, the panel can be stuck to a structure withdouble-sided adhesive tape by applying it to the flat sections of thebottom panel.

The puzzle case can be dismantled by unclipping the panel clips 700, theclips 700 being disengaged by forcing them out of the bottom plate clipholes 702.

When all the clips have been disengaged, they will allow the top 22 andbottom 20 panels to be separated.

It is to be understood that the number of sections may vary as well astheir geometry. But typically, there will be four upper and four lowersections that will provide an effective space to hold a completed jigsawpuzzle. Again, we reiterate that the engagement of each section as wellas the engagement of the top and bottom panels may be accomplished byvarious means and the above description is not intended to limit theinvention to this embodiment.

The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides apuzzle protection case. A further advantage is that the size of thepanels allows them to be packed into a box that includes the puzzlepieces. Thus the user can purchase a jigsaw puzzle that includessections that can be assembled together to provide support for thepuzzle.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

The drawings include the following integers.

2, 4, 6, 8 top panel sections10 puzzle case12, 14, 16, 18 base sections20 base panel22 top panel200 inner lip202 opposing lip301 mounting point700 male locking clips702 female clip holes800 interlocking male clip802 female clip

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the presentinvention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention hasbeen shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practicaland preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be madetherefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limitedto the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope ofthe claims to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Anydiscussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in noway be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known orforms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising”and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each ofthe stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers.

1. A puzzle case comprising: a top panel defined by several sectionsadapted to be removably connected together; a bottom panel defined byseveral sections adapted to be removably connected together; the toppanel adapted to engage the bottom panel and define a cavitythereinbetween allowing a jigsaw puzzle to be placed therein.
 2. Thepuzzle case as in claim 1 wherein the top panel is transparent.
 3. Thepuzzle case as in claim 1 wherein the bottom panel includes ofstructural reinforcements.
 4. The puzzle case as in claim 3 wherein thebottom panel includes ribs.
 5. The puzzle case as in claim 1 wherein thetop panel and the bottom panel are adapted to be removably attached toeach other using clips.
 6. The puzzle case as in claim 1 wherein eachpanel comprises of four sections.